Masked raiders jailed for more than 30 years over violent aggravated burglary

Violent masked men who tried to evade arrest after a brutal knife attack on a man in his home, leaving him with irreparable injuries, have been locked up for more than 30 years combined.

The 19-year-old victim suffered a six-centimetre wound to his neck and needed lifesaving surgery after he was stabbed during a home invasion. 

A group of men burst into his address, in Keys Close, Bulwell, after planning a drug-related burglary.

Sounds of an altercation were heard before the attackers ran out of the front door. 

The victim was given first aid by neighbours and police officers after he had collapsed in his kitchen, and he was taken to hospital. 

He needed a blood transfusion due to significant bleeding and went on to have more surgery due to a stroke and to relieve pressure on his brain. 

During searches of the area, officers found two knives which had been discarded in a bin.

Their diligent work at the scene and discovery of the weapons led to detectives securing a major breakthrough in their investigation following DNA testing.

Following an extensive and complex investigation, involving specialist police teams, the suspects were identified, tracked down, arrested, and charged in connection with the incident which happened on the night of 1 February 2023. 

The offenders were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (12 April 2024). 

Jaekwon Marks, aged 24, of Church Green, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham and Jawon Thomas, aged 25, formerly of Eastbrook, Corby, Northamptonshire, were both jailed for 10 years and nine months after pleading guilty to wounding with intent and conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary. 

Marks and Thomas were detained after abandoning a vehicle which had been stopped by police in Kettering, Northamptonshire, on 11 February 2023. 

DNA evidence found on one of the knives linked Thomas to the crime and indicated he had been in contact with the weapon. 

Andre Saunders-Johnson, aged 21, formerly of Wensleydale Road, Birmingham, was locked up for 10 years and nine months after pleading guilty to wounding with intent and conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary. 

Kyarnie Thompson, aged 20, formerly of Cedar Road, Hyson Green, was locked up for seven years and two months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary.

While he did not participate in the attack, the court heard that the ‘seeds’ of the burglary plot came from him due to a ‘drug debt he couldn’t meet.’

Thompson’s DNA was found on the sheath of one of the recovered knives. Phone data also linked him to the crime. 

In relation to a separate incident, Thompson also pleaded guilty to charges of possession of a knife in a public place, possession of heroin, and possession of cannabis.

Police spotted Thompson who was on a bicycle and seen making calls on a burner phone while in the Cinderhill area of Nottingham on 21 January 2022.

He initially rode off to evade capture before coming off his bike. Thompson then ran off but he was followed and stopped by officers. He was found to be in possession of a small hunting knife, wraps of heroin, and a quantity of cash.

Officers found more cash and hundreds of pounds worth of cannabis when they searched his home.

Also sentenced in relation to the Keys Close home invasion were 25-year-old Mollie Croft and 41-year-old Lucy Hefford. 

The court heard how Hefford, formerly of Church Walk, Corby, Northamptonshire, transported the main offenders to and from the scene of the crime. Phone data also showed she had been in contact with the attackers. 

She was jailed for four-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary.

Croft, formerly of Charlock Close, Top Valley, booked a taxi for Thomas and Marks to take them to Kettering following the stabbing. 

She also deleted footage from a CCTV system at her home in Charlock Close, which had been used by the offenders as a meeting point before and after the knife attack. 

She was handed an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to assisting an offender. 

Detective Constable Chris Bostock, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was an extremely violent attack that could easily have had deadly consequences for the victim.

"The main offenders inflicted serious violence on him after planning their attack and targeting him in his home. He was left with significant injuries which were initially life-threatening and are life-changing.

“There were massive contributions to this complex investigation, not only from our force but also other forces all over the country.

“Major contributions came from our intelligence teams and other specialist departments.

"This was a ‘who did it’ with little to go on from the start. The superb response from the initial attending officers and how they dealt with the scene and witnesses gave us a great place to start the investigation.

"There were numerous examples of great police work and effort from many which led to us securing these significant charges and convictions of these offenders."

Detective Inspector Jon Kerry added: "I want to thank the members of the public and our officers who provided the victim with life-saving first aid following this distressing incident. 

‘The outcome in this complex case is testament to our collaborative one-team approach and dedication shown by our officers and staff. 

“These convictions and sentences also show our continued determination to tackle knife crime and ensure dangerous offenders are taken off our streets.

“The impact of knife crime can be devastating, and we are absolutely determined to use all the powers at our disposal to drive down violence in our communities.

“Early intervention remains vital, and we continue to work hard every day to help educate vulnerable young people about the dangers of knife crime and encourage them to make good life decisions, diverting them away from violence and criminality."

Anyone with concerns or information regarding knife crime is urged to report it by calling Nottinghamshire Police on 101. In an emergency always dial 999.

For more advice and information visit: https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/skc/stop-knife-crime/